Last year, the Nashville snot-rockers Be Your Own Pet reunited for the first time in over a decade, and they spent this past March darting around SXSW with all the pent-up energy of an upstart band. And that was all in service to a good cause: Be Your Own Pet’s first new album in 15 years. The just-announced Mommy lands in August, and it reunites the band’s founding members Jemina Pearl Abegg, Jonas Stein, and Nathan Vasquez on record, alongside longtime drummer John Eatherly. “For better or worse, we all were slapped in the face that it wasn’t as easy on our own,” Stein said of BYOP’s time away. “We were all moderately successful, but nobody found that Be Your Own Pet chemistry.” They already teased the album with single ‘Hand Grenade‘ back in March, and now they’re sharing another new song, ‘Worship The Whip,’ a giddily amped-up one with a sadomasochistic bent. “‘Worship The Whip’ is about the right wing authoritarian personality,” Pearl said. “Aggressive and domineering to people who don’t think like them, while at heart being a submissive to the authority figures who use and abuse them.” Watch a video for the track below. [via Stereogum]

Delilah Holliday has released a brand new track, ‘Silent Streets’. It’s taken from her forthcoming EP Invaluable Vol. 1, which is set to arrive July 7 via One Little Independent Records. “People were too scared to go out. And the streets were kind of silent still,” she says. “Nobody was really interacting. And I just thought that was a really abstract, interesting concept to put in the song and sort of make it dancey, of being too scared to mingle, but it’s a clubby track. I like the juxtaposition. This whole project really is about juxtaposition and mixing things together that don’t really go because that’s how started. It’s the spark that inspired all the other songs. Genre blending and putting pieces together that don’t quite fit.” This informed the creepy accompanying music video for the track: “For the ‘Silent Streets’ music video, me and Swarmm wanted to create an apocalyptic metaverse inspired by London, reimagined if the pandemic lasted for 20 years and how that would effect the natural phenomena around us. Which the song also touches on. We achieved this by 3D Scanning my body and inserting into the environment Swarmm created. The whole aesthetic of the video is inspired by the dawn of artificial intelligence.” [via DIY]

Taylor Swift has shared a new official video for the new version of ‘Karma’ featuring Ice Spice. Swift recently dropped a new deluxe version of her 10th album Midnights, titled Midnights (Til Dawn Edition), featuring the Ice Spice remix of ‘Karma’ among other tracks. That same night, the rapper joined Swift to close out the first of multiple nights at East Rutherford’s MetLife Stadium for her ‘Eras’ tour. In the official video for ‘Karma’, which dropped after the performance and was directed by Swift, she appears in a host of different locations including on a yellow brick road, trapped in an hourglass and inside a lightbulb. Once Ice Spice joins the party, the pair row a boat across the sea. [via NME]

Dorian Electra has disclosed their new single ‘Sodom & Gomorrah’. Watch the video, directed by Electra and Weston Allen, below. It follows on from Electra’s recent release, the ‘Freak Mode’ single, in April. Speaking about the song, Electra has said, “Sodom & Gomorrah is the biblical story of two cities that were so sinful that God destroyed them. The word Sodomy – derived from this story – has often been used to oppress queer people, so I wanted to reclaim it in a bratty, slutty, sexy song. Musically, I was inspired by the pop I grew up on (Britney Spears, Missy Elliot), but with a modern twist, and heavy guitars.” Electra has recently embarked on a viral marketing campaign that involved spreading posters featuring the phrase ‘I <3 SODOMY’. [via DIY]

The name on everyone’s lips, BIG WETT, returns with another banger in ‘GSPOT’ accompanied by the new video. The track is taken from her debut 6-track EP P*$$Y set for release September 22 via Play It Again Sam. Sirens, fat bass, skittering hi-hats, a deep, booming vocal driving it forward, ‘GSPOT’ is another electronic-laden track with BIG WETT’S unmistakably catchy, filthy and fun lyrics. “This track has it all. If you didn’t know where your G-spot was before, you do now,” proclaims the artist. Taking the global dance music scene by storm, her songs are tinged with undertones of queer pride, femme power and sexual empowerment, making her one of the moment’s most intriguing new artists with an overwhelming stage presence and personality to match.

K.ZIA is an artist engrossed in culture. Brussels-born, now Berlin & Dakar-based, the singer-songwriter is experienced in the modern world and its intricacies, and you can hear that in her sound. Amalgamating elements of R&B, soul, pop, Afrobeats and more, the songstress holds the unique collection of stylistic characteristics together with her endearingly soulful vocals. Moving to the German capital back in 2017, she began pursuing a career in music ad released her debut EP the following year. January 2022 saw her release her impressive debut album, Genesis. A year a half or so later, K.ZIA has returned with her latest body of work, this time in the shape of vibrant EP Kintsugi Heart. The EP portrays a journey through difficult times, with the artist open about her struggles with depression across the tape. Eclectic, groove-laden instrumentals provide a serene and sultry backdrop for K.ZIA to immerse listeners in her stunning vocals and personal, thoughtful lyrics. Speaking on the EP, the singer comments, “After struggling with depression for the first time in 2020, I embarked on a journey of self-discovery and spiritual reconnection. I traveled, practiced sports, and wrote extensively to understand my life’s purpose and spiritual state. Through these experiences, I was able to heal myself and create a potion that I hope will help others heal too. “Kintsugi Heart” – from the Japanese pottery practice Kintsugi where they mend broken pieces with golden glue is a metaphor for embracing our flaws and imperfections and emerging from difficult times more beautiful with our scars. This EP is the acknowledgement of a time of deep sadness, accepting it, expressing it and healing from it. It is a journey through love, struggle, darkness, introspection, growth and light. It is the final burial of my depression and the Panacea to hopefully prevent another.” [via Wonderland]

Pop veteran NJOMZA plays Doctor in her new music video for production led, R&B earworm, ‘Love Again’, the lead track from recently released EP, STAGES. The creator of ‘The Love Again Method’, Dr. NJOMZA works with a group of volunteers to be part of her groundbreaking new treatment to return the spark in their relationships – Phase 1: therapy, phase 2: a questionable physical treatment, and phase 3: reintegration; which appears to go wrong as the couples pair up with the wrong partners. Directed by Mac Grant, NJOMZA stars in this fun, comical short film. A collection of late-night R&B, atmospheric dance sonics and synth-pop sensibilities backing NJOMZA’s sultry vocal, STAGES sees the singer-songwriter at her most authentic, having created a signature style formed from an impressive melting pot of influences. [via Broadway World]

Madison Beer isn’t silent anymore! After a million years (not really, but it feels like it) we’re finally getting a new Madison Beer album! ‘Home To Another One’ is the latest release from her upcoming new project. In this alien-themed video, Madison craftily blends both vintage and futuristic vibes to create a mystical, magical intergalactic fantasy. A posh take on classic tv shows of decades past, Madison plays a housewife who knows she isn’t the only one in her lover’s life. Beautifully crooning the woeful phrase, “Call me baby, I know you go home to another one,” it’s clear that although this isn’t a healthy love it’s impossible to let go. [via The Honey POP]

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LA’s resident femme-punk royalty The Aquadolls release the official video for their latest single ‘Burn Baby Burn.’ Directed by longtime creative collaborator Jenna Houchin, the video is a seductive whirlwind of excess and indie sleaze. Leaning into the song’s meaning of relying on your girl gang when you need to be reminded of your worth, the video features the band in a sea of debaucherous fun alongside their friends.

After making her explosive debut with her first single, ‘Fantasy,’ rlyblonde – the project of Brooklyn-based multidisciplinary artist Carina Allen – returns with ‘Spiltmilk,’ the second single off her forthcoming debut EP. rlyblonde is no stranger to the music industry. The New York-based twenty-something has long been the go-to photographer, videographer and creative director for numerous musicians. After years of supporting other artists and friends’ visions, she decided to put down the camera and pick up the guitar for a change. With her new track, ‘Spiltmilk,’ rlyblonde seamlessly combines alt-rock instrumentation, catchy pop melodies, and tongue-in-cheek lyrics (“Wait why the fuck is there a line? / I’m freezing in this dress / My makeup is a mess / I need a drink before I lose my mind”). She elaborates on the inspiration behind her newest single: “I’ve always been quite sensitive, even though I put on a tough face most of the time. For a long period of my life I felt like I was always one parking ticket away from a mental breakdown. Plus, living in New York City is pretty relentless. Everything is expensive and you’re exhausted every day just from walking around. Writing ‘Spiltmilk’ also let me laugh at myself in a way that was really comforting. Now when I’m having a bad day, I’ll just text my friends, ‘it’s a spiltmilk type of day’ and we just get it. It’s okay to cry, but also… you’re gonna be fine.” ‘Spiltmilk’ is also released with a new music video, which was directed by rlyblonde herself via her new creative production company, HOT CREATIVE. In contrast to the more narrative-driven ‘Fantasy’ video, she took on a more campy and freeform approach when it came to the ‘Spiltmilk’ visual. She pokes fun at the song’s subject matter with various little easter eggs like a child’s prop car, white clown-inspired make-up, and her selfie on the side of a milk carton with the words ‘CRYBABY WANTED.’

Suzie True, the DIY pop-punk trio from Los Angeles, came out with their debut LP Saddest Girl At The Party a couple of years ago, and they’re now getting ready to follow it with a new album called Sentimental Scum. Singer/bassist Lexie McCoy says that the new record is “inspired by artists like Babes In Toyland, The Muffs, Jeff Rosenstock, Josie & The Pussycats, and anime theme music,” which is a fun combination. The band shared opening track ‘Backburner’ as a stand-alone single last year, and now they’ve also released another one. The new song ‘Keep In Touch’ is a bright, fuzzy jam with homespun hooks and fuzzy, twinkly riffs. This band is good at conveying warm, charismatic headrush feelings, and that’s what they do on this one. The Rae Mystic-directed video is sunny and frilly, and it communicates a whole aesthetic. [via Stereogum]

Discover Berlin-based singer K.ZIA’s latest single, ‘Rise’, a moving and anthemic song that features her powerful vocals and outstanding production. ‘Rise’ is an emotionally-charged anthem that permeates solace in its poignant yet uplifting themes. The heart of the track lies in K.ZIA’s deep, emotive vocals. With a textured voice that maneuvers seamlessly through the well-arranged instrumentals, K.ZIA’s soulful tone evokes emotions of melancholy and upliftment. As the track progresses, her powerful voice builds from a slow, haunting intro to an inspiring and anthemic climax, capturing the listener’s heart with every note. The production on ‘Rise’ is nothing short of impressive, and the skillfully arranged instrumentals perfectly complement K.ZIA’s voice, creating an immersive soundscape that invites listeners to get lost in the music. Drawing inspiration from R&B, soul, pop, and Afrobeats, ‘Rise’ showcases K.ZIA’s ability to craft a contemporary yet timeless sound. K.ZIA’s ‘Rise’ is more than just a beautifully-produced track – it’s an anthem for overcoming adversity. As the artist herself explains, the song is about “finding that inner strength to overcome. We may be beaten down, by life, by people, but still like dust, we will RISE.” This powerful message resonates with listeners, offering hope and encouragement to those facing life’s challenges. [via Neon Music]

Colleen Green is sharing an awesome new stop-motion video for ‘Posi Vibes,’ a single from her acclaimed 2021 album, COOL, out now on Hardly Art. The video was directed and produced by John Murphy. [via Northern Transmissions]

For Brooklyn trio A Very Special Episode, the band’s second album was reason enough to push their sound to its extremes. The noise pop elements got noisier and poppier, the punk has been upped, and the art rock touches are… more artistic. That record, Freak Me Out, will be released on June 23 via EWEL Records (The Black Black, Kissed By An Animal) and Hidden Home Records (Dain Griffin, Shrug Dealer), a collection of songs both personal and abstract, with their core built on the melodic shouts and passionate delivery of Kasey Heisler. There’s a sense of community but also a sense of tension. Not everything will work out, but things just might be okay, and the band’s grungy tunes remind us we’re in this together. ‘$5 Cover,’ the record’s third single isn’t the Fugazi tribute you might be hoping for, but rather a loving homage to band’s own musical community forged around the DIY space East Williamsburg Econolodge. The song is pulsing with dirgy bass and punchy vocal melodies, seething in the shadows one moment but vibrant and hooky the next. It’s dense and immediate, crunchy with overdriven chaos but resoundingly “pop” at the seams. The video – directed, produced, written, and edited by Greg Hanson (King Pizza Records) – brings a retro aesthetic to the otherwise very modern ode to EWEL nights. Capturing the 60’s ideals of dinner parties and adult reverie, the band pair the vivid imagery together with lyrics that embrace a night at the “rock show,” an escape void of concern and the overt polite. [via Post Trash]

Xylø is not afraid of embracing her body in order to share her art. On Friday, the singer released the pop-perfect single ‘Super Sex Mona Lisa,’ in which she unapologetically reflects on starting OnlyFans to help fund her music career. Doing so, she says, has given her a “newfound confidence.” “I’ve entered a new chapter in my life where I’m not afraid to be vulnerable and I’m ready to completely express myself as an artist,” she says as she premieres the track’s video with Rolling Stone. “I wanted the video to show how I’ve grown since my last album. How my body, nude or not, can be art.” “If my last album was about hiding from myself in the shadows of America, then this album is about celebrating myself despite the darkness,” she adds, referring to last year’s Unamerican Beauty. “It’s colorful and dangerous and the most expressive music I’ve ever made.” The video for ‘Super Sex Mona Lisa’ explores all sides of Xylø — how she can go from filming sexy content in her bedroom as art to sharing a beer with her dad and his friends. “The stereotypical gender roles are swapped as all the mechanics are female and wearing Queens Park Rangers jerseys,” she explains, referring to her favorite soccer team. “Ultimately, it’s about being confident in yourself and your sexuality.” “I used to be shy/Now you’re purchasing my body,” she sings as she flashes an ATM in the video as she’s handed a wad of cash. “I’m a pop star/And I’m clickbait Barbie. I do it for the thrill/And I do it for the money.” The video splices clips of her posing topless, playing a Hello Kitty-themed guitar, and doing choreography in a mechanic’s lot with two other girls. “You want it/Come get it/Subscribe to me,” she sings in the chorus. [via Rolling Stone]

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